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NASB | 1 Corinthians 2:14 ¶ But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 2:14 ¶ But the natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the things [the teachings and revelations] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness [absurd and illogical] to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, [and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters]. |
Bible Question: How can anyone be saved? |
Bible Answer: Greetings John Reformed! You have asked a simple but provocative question. It is one that requires some real contemplation and is quite beneficial. Thank you! Thought I'd add my two cents here. I'd like to suggest a challenging book by Gordon T. Smith entitled, "Beginning Well: Authentic Christian Conversion and Transformation." Smith states that, "Conversion is the human response to the saving work of God through Christ. . .Justification refers to the initial or foundational work of God . . . Sanctification spekas of our transformation. . . that comes purely by God's gracious work in our lives. We do not bring it about, it comes as we trut, by fatih, in what God and only God can do." The author makes other interesting observations when he asserts, "Something is profoundly flawed when justification does not lead to scantification, for this is the very purpose for which we were justified. . . Without justification as the foundation, scantification becomes nothing more than human effort and easily descends to legalism or works righteousness." To me, the important thing to keep in mind here is that salvation and transformation are God's work, not mine. God alone saves. Who can be saved? Anyone who chooses to respond to His offer of Grace. (Bear in mind that conversion and salvation are NOT the same!) Psalm 48:14 says that God will be our guide until death. He is before us, guiding us toward our heavenly home. I see it this way, ALL who choose (these are the converted) His (Salvation, God's offer of Grace) Way, to follow Him,(God transforms) will be welcomed into eternity (these are the saved). But, conversely, even though the Lord is always there, willing to guide us on the path everlasting, God's Word also cautions us, that there is a way that seems right to a man but the end thereof leads to death (Prov 16:25). Truly, this is most often a straight road paved with "good intentions!" I have no authority to decide who is saved and who is not. Nor do I have the ability to discern the work of God in the heart of another if I allow the picture that I have created to describe a "Christian" to be the counterweight of my judgment. It seems reasonable to me to be gracious (and patient!), as God is gracious(and patient!)with me, as I extend the love of God toward others in my relationship with them. In order to see the work of God in the life of another, I must be willing to let HIM reveal it to me, in His way and in His time. As seeds beging to grow, they all tend to look the same. If I discard the shoot before it matures based upon how I think a plant is supposed to look, I may deprive myself of a bountiful havest. By pretermining what a Christian is supposed to look like, instead of looking for God's description, I may hinder another's growth in their relationship with the Lord. May we all here at the Forum be willing to extend grace to one another as we endeavor to study God's Word and come to known Him personally. Blessings, Mommapbs |